|
REMARKS
BY
HONORABLE FARRIS BRYANT
JIRECTOR
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PLANNING
AT THE
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S
CONFERENCE
ON FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
FEBRUARX 24, 1967
9
"Our agenda must give high priority to
a stronger and more effective federal
system of government in the United State
To meet urgent and growing needs, the
Federal Government is providing a wide
range of programs to assist State and
local governments. Now the chief task
is to manage these programs efficiently
at every level of government to assure
the most effective public services...
"Another aspect of the problem of inter
governmental cooperation has been the
process of consultation with elected
officials of State and local government
on matters concerning the development
and administration of Federal assistanc
10
programs. Governors and local chief
executives are responsible for the
management of their units of government.
The Federal Government should take all
practical steps to increase the role
of these executives in the administration
of federally aided programs..."
We are here today to implement
those ideas. Our objectives are simple:
1. To establish adequate communi-
ations. We want to be sure that we
re all on the same frequency, that our
arphones are plugged in, and that
veryone who should be heard has a
orking microphone.
11
2. To ensure coordination in
process and purpose. That means
putting the Governor in the co-pilot's
seat.
While the President and the
Governors are setting our course, the
rest of us can keep the ashtrays clean,
and tigers in our tanks.
We have with us today a distin-
guished group of Federal officials.
They know their jobs. We hope this
meeting, and the fallout from it,
will enable them to achieve a broader
understanding of State problems than
can be secured from dealing exclusively
with their special areas of concern.
I recognize the competence of
Governor Rockefeller's staff. With
12
uoh a leader, it could not be
therwise. We hope that they will
cquire a better insight into the
nderlying reasons for Federal
rooedures.
If this chemistry works, we will
evelop administrative initiatives
hat will make possible the coordi-
ation we all seek.
This is not our first effort in
he field of Federal-State relations.
e have over the past year:
1. Held a State legislative
eaders' Conference in Washington --
he first of its kind in history.
13
2. Arranged for President
Johnson to meet with the Executive
and Highway Safety Committees of the
Governors' Conference and with Federal
Officials to discuss traffic safety.
The suggestions made by the Governors
in these sessions were incorporated
in the final legislation.
3. Through Regional Offices of
the Office of Emergency Planning we have
maintained a two-way dialogue with the
States. OEP administers for the
President, funds made available to the
States in times of natural disaster
and coordinates the activities of the
entire Federal establishment when major
disasters are declared.
14
4. The Office of Emergency
lanning has several other activities
hich impact upon the Federal-State
elationship. In the telecommuni-
ations field we are moving forward
ith planning to improve communications
ystems among the various levels of
overnment. Since law enforcement,
ducation, water development, trans-
ortation and air pollution are not
ound by geographical areas an assault
n the problems requires the most
fficient and swiftest communications
acilities. In another OEP area, we
re using our computer facilities and
xpertise to develop a Data Comparability
tudy of direct interest to the States.
15
In effect, this study looks to the
simplification of standards and
nomenclatures used by the fifty
States. In countless instances, these
definitions are different and not
translatable unless the criteria are
thoroughly understood and programmed.
We do not want uniform measuring rods,
but it would be extremely useful to
know how one State's measurement can
be expressed in terms of measurements
used by other States. This is partic-
ularly important as we move increasingly
into regional compacts.
5. Finally, I have been privilege
to represent the President at the
National Governors' Conference and at
16
various regional conferences. These
meetings, coupled with a steady corres-
pondence between my office and the
Governors, have helped to establish
and maintain the line of communication
which is the purpose of this Conference.
I would end on this note. There
was a time when Americans enjoyed
parallel citizenship under governments
which served different levels of need --
Federal and State. Today we have
parallel citizenship under governments
serving in the same areas of need.
Federal grants have risen from $30
million annually in 1920 to nearly
$15 billion today. If we are to use
these funds wisely and well, if we are
17
to develop programs most responsive
to the needs of the people, if we are
to keep pace with an era of enormous
change, we must innovate and create
the institutional means to master our
age in freedom. In the final analysis,
success will depend on the States and
the competence shown by them, as it
always has.
We are here today in Arkansas to
begin that process.
I'm happy to be in Little Rock.
It is fitting that we hold this meeting
on Federal-State Relations here in
Arkansas.
You have a new Governor, Winthrop
Rockefeller, a distinguished public
servant from a family of distinguished
men. Only a week and a half ago this
team of Federal officials was in
New York for a meeting such as we are
having today.
Arkansas has different problems
and Winthrop Rockefeller has views
and ways of accomplishing things that
are different from his brother. His
administration lies ahead. But we need
only study his record of achievement as
a private citizen of your great State
2
and the restless energy he has
expended to attract new industry, and
we can expect comparable success in
the months and years ahead.
His participation in one important
aspect of Federal-State Relations is
already assured. Just last week
President Johnson appointed Governor
Rockefeller to the National Civil
Defense Advisory Council.
We hope the meeting today will
lend impetus to the efforts of Governor
Rockefeller to move Arkansas forward
in a broad range of activities. We
suspect Governor Rockefeller's drive
and initiative will put him and
Arkansas in the thick of nationwide
3
efforts to simplify and streamline our
Federal-State relationships.
The problems themselves are
dramatically demonstrated in the
statistics of those relations. More
than 400 authorities exist for grant
programs. At least 160 have been
added since 1960. More than 1,000
new Federal development districts,
areas and regions have been funded.
Last December, one of our Governors
reported to the Governors' Conference
that 170 separate Federal Aid Programs
are administered by 21 Federal Departmen
and Agencies making grants to more than
200 agencies and political subdivisions
of his State.
4
Here in Arkansas, Governor
ockefeller and his administrative
amily must live and work with about
60 separate grant programs providing
ore than 200 million dollars, and
ffecting every city and county in
he State.
All these figures underscore a
serious question of centralization
hich could weaken our Federal system
if the States do not exercise affir-
ative and aggressive initiatives in
the management of these funds on the
State level. Let me make abundantly
clear my conviction that the State must
continue to play a vigorous and vital
role in our Federal system. It cannot
5
forfeit that responsibility despite
the increase in Federal grants.
The fact is that State and local
expenditures in these areas currently
exceed $75 billion each year, five
times the amount contributed by the
Federal Government. And those State
and local expenditures are expected
to reach $142 billion by 1975.
Clearly, it is the States playing
their traditional role in the partner-
ship which will determine the success
of these efforts. There are two
separate problems:
One -- the obvious problem --
is budgetary.
The other -- less obvious, and
more important and difficult -- is the
administrative problem.
6
Neither of these problems is
"political," for they are common for
epublicans and Democrats.
Neither of these problems is
"deliberate," for they are the unintended
results of many separate actions by
the Congress in the pursuit of diverse
ut good goals.
Neither of these problems finds
natural or obvious solution within
he framework of our established
institutions and practices.
One thing is clear! If we are
0 find a solution, a methodology
ust be formulated to insure the
oordination of diverse claims,
rograms and administrations with
elated activities, shared concerns
7
and similar responsibilities within
the State. It follows "as the night
the day" that this cannot be done
except through the office and person
of the Governor.
Essential to their solutions
is adequate "communications." The
President, in addressing the Federal
Department Heads on November 11, 1966,
and in his State of the Union Message
January 10, placed great emphasis
upon that idea. He said, in part:
"The 88th and 89th Congresses enacted
more social and economic legislation
than any two Congresses in our history.
But all of this legislation will come
to nothing unless it reaches the people.
8
Federal energy is essential. But
it is not enough. Only a total working
artnership among Federal, State and
ocal governments can succeed. The
est of that partnership will be the
oncern of each public organization,
ach private institution, and each
esponsible citizen...
We intend to work with the States and
ocalities to do exactly that."
And just a few weeks ago, President
ohnson reaffirmed these sentiments in
is Budget Message to the Congress.
(e said, in part:
PAGE 1
REVM kK S BY A -R'YL F AR IS RYNT GEYzRGENCY rLANN ING AT THE A %KNSAS OV ERN G S IT-E ROCK, ARKANSAS pEbUAPY 24, 1967
PAGE 2
, r Cend, .st give hih oriority to tr-r d or e t ..so ftedrt ystf ovrnen. t in the Unitoo States. mI ret d rowm ing neeos, the eder l Gover ment is o rovidiro wide 00e0o ,f ror to sit tate ord oI -o-ret, Now the chief task s to -on these proornos efficiently t evirv 1,vl of vernrent to ar0 he to o effetive n blic service. 'o t' o', f the roble of interovern-rtal I-er h ,en the -r0e Of 0 nsIthtior with el]ted tfiia 'f soate 0nd 7o-1 government n 'attrs conornir the Ovoelsent nd ,ad, inor a0tin of Fede r j tr.tnce
PAGE 3
progra-s. Go\ 0xetive0 art ,anaeoet f The Feder l G, practinal steo of these ec, of fodally a -f govwr Ofn. to ve d ncres in it ropre 1'1 ,r I I h 0 t t, r
PAGE 4
F, -nsure cod -1 G-rr in d nti ,ea tIernt In tin-, our nd ti s i tu tn of fedr hey I r he r io u tin and Th fT o t r ,ys c IeI,, Sof Tie ho t fro of disti o ia1 pe m rn r ecure fr ith it oir s o ITe de th i it, Sthan o fool 10 rn. o -the -o-et-nr ern or kfrller'u t,ff_
PAGE 5
such a leader, it tuld -t e otherwise. ', e ope that thwi 1 acquire a better, sa -h to the underlying rea-rns for Federal procedures. If this ohs-Istry or k s, we wI develo" ador istrativa n tiative that will rake ossi le the cird i nation we all el Thi is rot ,ur first effort in thl field of Fe eral-tate reIat t r. Vie h ve over th ,as t ea r : 1. Held a State le isl otive tea oe Canfernce in hi-gto the ifi rst a f it ki in i story.
PAGE 6
.ared for president ,hns v to with the Executivt in H a tLet Ctltittees f the oer r' Cnferen-e and with Federal a o isuss traffic af, tyo S ueC n rade hy the G overn-.r. Sth on were inctre rated I th fn' eisa htior. ohroh heitoal Off-c of a O ce t
PAGE 7
4. Tl f ie f -r incy Pl annifng has nevralohr tvt wh i h imact o th FederAltat relatinshil i r I he te -;n ications fied we -nr F rwrd with nanni,7 n-, inrv mmita system a-nthar a n levnlt ef Gavernent. Sine Iaw enfosent, eduntian, wa ter dvloment, transpor tnn and air -lI tin, nre a r t b nd by geo.ra hi -1 ar aan a -a-l on the -rables rea ire'he n-at effii enI an ne f tscnnunica t n a fac cities. Ir r n ther-r area, we are -inn r --t r fnfili and eaertinc to dvlc 1Studs -f direct inrt tin
PAGE 8
etf rt, tr io Ft.dy Iooks to the i f ion o f stond rds or oer frr, s ued h th fifty t o -.In -contle inttn0s, the-e f itin are different and not an l a n, ess the cr -ter ia re oro' cLy r o ttrnd i rotrme S ron u on i for Teas r iro rc t u bct e n y sefu r 0r in te ct of -sr-oenf eo 0 o rSt te. Th'irs is ,r icre r t0 i n t s ,e mrot ircr000i rIt to renonof "torpact. ir lty, I h -een or i il,7ed ror'nc 0the rsid-et ot tho t4onaC Gorrors Corterenc rr ndoe'
PAGE 9
-teetingF, cou ne efnce betwc Governors, e 0 a nd j ain t ain tn which is the 'u I t-ee 1h Wasa tlie when wh ich served di Federal ind 'a -arallel citize erv I in t'Federal rant" --llion annuall t!5 b 1 1lion. t d 6 there funds is -Ty ff Iceo -d the he d to I eI.h pose of this Conference. on thIs te, Phere 1mrcn 0njoye[ sh is under govern -e ts o r a re fneea. -r'" ri n frw' 93 .'] +o '.n rl f e to 1 el ri a S
PAGE 10
t riet, c', 1m cc e ill rogram00 moot resonsoive f toe ooole, wI r with on or, of orous ust rnoooo ,d cr. to ion on to -" er our o .In tre fi nI a a ysi dTh0nd on thto t000 3nd -e sho-n ny thei, a it 00r0 toda ionArk an to
PAGE 11
-happy to 'U in LittlS RUck. fit -g that we hold this -ctmi ,rltte cclmtions here mn Y hs hnGo :kefell r, a distins -vart fr" a" fcily l o 1c d office t r centirg cin' td y verr, inth rpn u shed p hI ic of d istinuishedO hlf ,g this cs was rn 'ckanS h,difert prle-s cd'throp o.ceofIs, hs vie 2d 1,y of accishr thr that re tferen froc his rather. I dir rtiror li0 hed. Butwe nee yc c udy his record of amhieceet aos r' 0ve citizen of 00cr creat 0tate
PAGE 12
and the Ins I n -n has exrnded to -tr c nc r i,, ndu, trv, -rd we ,an ex t Co ir the onths a r I a I HiF ari iat n in r n iortant s t of Fed r I Itat a a i ons alreadv acFurd. J& t Ia t nank r-sident J n' r ucinted Gover r 'ock seller to dhe Nati n l Civi] lefense a i ir U nc I. 'Ne oe thm-tin Iiody w I lend inctus c 'he efts o f Co -rn r Skefeller t iovoan na, fwar inea r a rnnge aa I-e and inaititive wi I au+ im and Arkans in the te nf ,tiwid
PAGE 13
'ffrt Cs ao rtify ,nd ,treanl in r :r aIC as1 y d 1 n',traoted in the Lat iC ais'othCsC relanti"n. For hn I0 authr ities ex ist txfr cran t rograsc A' 'st 1G0 hCVe heen dded r n ss2. WLre t-n 1 ,I1 ae F e-al evClCCCnt distr ictn, rC S I J reIn have beCn f C ed. ,nt C C, I oI Cf our GvCerorn eCorte to -he G.svrnors' CCnferC-r C, t s17 ar at FedIal Aid rCCam re o Iinist red b v 21 Federal CepCr'Cents d ACnis e ak In Crants to tore than n an politiCl suadivi iCrC f h i Ca e.
PAGE 14
here in r k o tkefellr and family ust 0 an ItO separ ,nr" none than 200 Til affenting every p 0s Gavrnar r tpafia'a, e' pr at arvi ton d.]Iars, and iv 1, n'd f unt in ser ,rou Tat ve the m alear cane p 11 theoe figu -, quest, n C' coul weaken states J" no -nd -cgres nageent of t ler l. et na conviption u to av a n .ur Pede-!l a" n +r pit ras td 'rat e I iti nds Ibu fare a vat i n rn the -t-". I
PAGE 15
-rf[it tha resono 0lito de nte ire nFelera e rnns. e fti is that State anl In:it ,xonitns :r thne re e urrenly e n 75 illion each year, five es the mut t ,ontrbuted ny the eder G(o,eent. nd tins State rI 1-n-d iuen ore eypcted re h 142 ijer by 1075. ,! i r y, it i th stat e 9lnyin"he ir trad i n al ro e in the irtn rshi wh' h -11l det-rmne the iuc .s.s th e O The are t Siar t e ir-incs ne--th ivi in role' ii ou-her -s nOv itu, ind re r t on' d ifftiu t is the dun ira' v oro-Ile'.
PAGE 16
Net er of 'I tol t i 1,' for I RhoobIh cen" nd Neither of thd iber t ," f r re t f 'any s' th ngr i th' bt t ood oals. Nei 'her of th, a nfotUral or oavou the fr kork of in it t ons or or Sthi i to fird a s lu o r1 u h e for" l td Coordo eoroe o Af i progr v nd o don if n reIated e i vitie, ohore the onnt r ht t oen y -rs i t .f dir s0 ,roe fire I i or r h Iea : f w ro a et lolooy -o insreth har d 1 on ern
PAGE 17
s i 'ar ec it lities writh -a. t feltos "a, the nieht da t a t h ,aer at he drte Iethrrush the affie and mersce F th, -ivenr. -,-niI t, thee sl t t adeue "tunie erat i*." The r rn rr a-ddr .ing the Fe etal pat tn t HrEa at Naventher II, d ir i St ate f th, Uniat heat e tary 10, rl d eat enhasra n 1 t f itd a. He tai in ar : the a-ah a th C resaes ated re a' d eatnmia eislatin nny two ngreae n ut himtry. t t f ti en ,lat Will toaa -t nurles it reaches the reoale.
PAGE 18
"Fedrot nrg i r n IaI .1 it it not eoorh. only tot' portoerh eo r d t lot gtovr neno t a oced tost of tht parr ershih will totnc-rn of eoo ouio n p each pr ivat, instit1 n 0 u in reTooible titizen.. Buti 1 work in t, and Th m to rhe tion e ihte d t r oih t o t oat r n -a -I Ion +" 1ve iv t h t -rd jot Johno refft hs Bdgeti M, he i, in 0a ro t ths s coti tot n s eto toe o nge rt:
|
